BnA Alter Museum

We booked the only room left - the “Travelers Room”. It’s exactly like the photos advertised. I wish I would’ve emailed them asking if the lights could be turned on, because all of the photos were dark. As it turns out, there is no additional lighting. It was incredibly annoying not being able to see. We literally had to use the flashlight on our phones to see at night. During the day it was sunny so we could see better through the small windows but had to use phone lights to look through our luggage. Also, there was only a small mirror in the bathroom so if a mirror is important to you, you won’t get one here. It seems that this hotel is only really intended for visitors to stay one night. Because it’s “art” there is no accommodation for luggage, there’s no TV, there’s no night stand, and you’ve got to get creative about plugging in devices. The bar in the lobby was lame. On the positive, the breakfast was great! The service at breakfast was a highlight! It’s in a quiet part of town with great food and bars. Just a 10 minute walk to busy Nishiki Market & Gion. There’s a laundromat just a few minutes walk also. If the price is right, there is great value in staying here, Just make sure you book the right room.

Everything was great here. One thing I would point out that I'm not sure that either Expedia or the BnA website do a fantastic job of explaining (maybe just not in English) but while the hotel is an art hotel and the rooms are each art pieces, the rooms are also absurdly well appointed hotel rooms too. Like, it had everything I'd expect from a 4 star hotel, and it was an art piece you could explore. I didn't book multiple nights here (even though I had originally planned to do so) because I thought it may be lacking in some of the basic comforts I'd expect from a hotel on a long trip to a country I've never been before, but it had all of that and then some. TV? Check, even an active Netflix subscription. WiFi? Phenomenal speeds and stability. One of the best showers/non Jacuzzi style tubs I've ever use? You better believe it. And then on top of all of those things the view from the room I stayed in (EYE) was possibly one of the best I've ever had in a hotel. As I checked in the sun was setting over Kyoto, casting beautiful orange glows across the Gion neighborhood. A perfect view of the river out of the window next to the sofa. The hallway had floor to ceiling windows overlooking Kyoto including a view of the top of Kyoto tower. I won't spoil the art portion, I think that's worth experiencing for yourself, but even without the full blown gallery and art installation in the room itself this hotel was absolutely worth it.